PVL: Perlas foils Adamson

Perlas-BanKo recovered from a third set meltdown and an early fourth set spell, foiling Akari-Adamson, 25-18, 25-16, 21-25, 25-21, to break into the win column after three games in the Premier Volleyball League Open Conference at the San Juan Arena last night.

Former UP stalwarts Kathy Bersola and Nicole Tiamzon took charge at the end of the fourth as the Perlas Spikers averted what could’ve been an embarrassing setback to a collegiate squad, which continued to prove its mettle against the seasoned teams in the league organized by Sports Vision.

The Lady Falcons battled back from 11-16 down in the third set but fizzled out after leading, 13-7, in the fourth as the Perlas Spikers unleashed a strong finishing kick to clinch the victory.

That included a five-hit binge, turning a 20-21 deficit into a four-point victory with Bersola wrapping up the set and the match with a kill off an Adamson poor reception.

Tiamzon topscored for Perlas with 14 hits, including back-to-back service aces at endgame, while Bersola, who missed the first two games, unloaded 13 points, including three kill blocks.

Amanda Villanueva torched her former college team with 12 hits while former Ateneo ace Amy Ahomiro backed them up with 10 points, including three blocks.

The high-flying, power-hitting Jessica Galanza came away with a game-high 18 hits, including 17 attack points, while Christine Soyud, May Roque, Fatima Joaquin and Lea Perez combined for 27 points for Adamson, which fell to 0-2.

Louie Romero, a 16-year-old rising setter, provided the spark for the Lady Falcons, producing 30 excellent sets, helping the team rally late in the third and seize control majority of the fourth.

Meanwhile, newcomer Megabuilders picked up its third straight win, outclassing Gamboa Coffee Mix, 25-23, 25-11, 25-16, to seize the solo lead with a 3-0 card in the men’s side of the league backed by Mikasa and Asics.

Gamboa fell to 0-2 in a tie with Café Lupe.

Army, on the other hand, edged defending champion Air Force in a thrilling five-set duel, hacking out a come-from-behind 25-20, 23-25, 17-25, 25-22, 16-14 victory to even its card at 1-1.